Duane l



D. L. RICE. GUARD FOR PIANOS.

No. 511,210. Patented Dec. 19, 1893.

G Y Mania?" Jacuzel 39 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DUANE Ii. RICE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE \V. \V. KIMBALL COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

GUARD FOR PIANOS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 511,210, dated December 19, 1893.

Application filed June 14, 1893. Serial No, 477,526. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: which is the part farthest away from the at- Be it known that I, DUANE L. RICE, a cilitaching screws 1, I secure buttons G tempozen of the United States, residing at Chicago, rarily to the under side of the key board as in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, plainly indicated at Figs. 1 and 4. These 5 have invented a new and useful Improved buttons are perhaps best attached to the key Guard for Pianos, of which the following is board by screws g, as they may then be turned a specification. into and out of the operating position. It is This invention relates to means for protect also desirable to provide the frame with ing or guarding the cases of pianos more esmeans for preventing the front thereof from 10 pecially while they are in the factory and in slipping upward; and these means may approcess of manufacture. The guard which I propriately consist of the projecting lips H employ for this purpose consists of a flexisecured to the partD of the frame by screws h. bly jointed frame adapted to be placed or The parts of the frame which come in constretchcd around the instrument case in the tact with the finished portions of the instru- I5 plane of the projecting keyboard, and means ment case are lined with felt or other cushfor attaching its ends to the back posts of the ioning material, as shown at m. piano. hen this frame has been secured to the The nature of my invention will be more piano, the danger of scratching and rubbing fully understood from the description given is greatly lessened. As the projecting guards 20 below. are secured to the pianos at the same hori- I show at Figure 1 of the accompanying zontal level, they act to prevent any contact drawings an elevation of a piano case with between the pianos themselves,such as is very my improved guard in position thereon. apt to occur where a large number of them Figs. 2, 3 and at are sections on the lines are assembled in the factory or ware-house.

z 5 22, 3-3 and l4 respectively of Fig. 1. They also protect the pianos against rubbing In the drawings A represents the main or contact with the walls or partitions of body of an upright piano case and B the key the rooms in which they are stored or worked board portion of the instrument. upon. The key board is naturally most lia- Z) represents one of the keys. ble to injury by collisions between the pianos 0 C C represent the back corner posts of the and by contact with other objects, but by my case. To this piano my protecting frame is invention that part of the case as well as the applied. This frame is made up of wood probody is thoroughly protected. Myinvention tecting strips flexibly joined together, and also saves much time and labor in covering consists preferably of the front piece D, end up or removing scratches and injuries.

5 pieces E joined to the front piece by strap The frames are readily removed and readhinges (Z and back pieces F joined to the end ily applied, so that they may be taken off pieces E by strap hinges c. The abutting when any of the finishing operations are to ends of these pieces D E F are beveled as be performed and replaced if the surface plainly indicated at Fig. 2 in order to permit with which they come in contact is dry.

0 the frame to be folded around the corners of I have shown my guard frame as applied to the instrument case. The pieces F are proa piano of ordinary construction. Of course 0 vided with set screws fadapted to be forced it should be built to conform to the shape against the side of the corner posts C. Said and size of the instrument upon which it is screwsfare also adapted to tighten the frame used, and the piano illustrated is intended 45 so that it remains in place. The pieces F are only as a type.

preferably L shaped, and the screws f are I claim preferably made to bear against one of the l. Aframe adapted to be placed around the inner faces of the corner posts. piano case in the plane of its key board and In order to support the front of the frame, consisting of wood protecting strips flexibly joined together, said frame being provided of the piano, and also with means foisupportwith means for securing it temporarily'np'on 'ing it from the key board;s'ubstantial1y as 10 the case, substantially as specified. specified.

2. A frame adapted to be placed around 5 the piano case in the plane of its key board, DUANE RICE and consisting of wood protecting strips flex- Witnesses: "ibly joined together, said frame bei11 pr0- M.MUNDAY, vided with means for attaching it to the back EMMA HACK. 

